New orders for Class 8 trucks in February increased 30% from the same time a year earlier while Classes 5-7 gained 18%, according to updated numbers from commercial vehicle industry data publisher ACT Research.

The average selling price of total reported used Class 8 trucks set a record in January at just over $44,000, according to the latest release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, published by ACT Research.

ACT Research Co. has released online fuel payback calculators that can help companies make the best fuel choices for their applications. The calculators, which are available at no charge at ACT’s website, allow fleets to easily calculate the diesel gallon equivalent of CNG or LNG at the pump as the commodity cost of natural gas changes.

Class 8 net orders started 2014 with a high-side surprise, up 9% month-over-month and 51% year-over-year. Classes 5-7 also got off to a good start with orders up 14% month-over-month and 33% year-over-year.

The trailer industry saw a 14% month-over-month gain in net orders in December, as six of the ten trailer categories posted positive results. For 2013, a total of 231,700 orders were booked, down just under 2% from 2012’s result.

December was the second biggest Class 8 order month since March 2006, with orders up roughly 50% month-over-month and year-over-year. Meanwhile, medium-duty December net orders fell month-over-month; but year-over-year orders were mixed, with Classes 6 to 7 rising 20% and Class 5 orders falling 16% against tough comparisons.

November North American Class 5 through 7 net truck orders are expected to total 18,000 while Class 8 orders are expected at 21,200 units, when actual data are released mid-month, according to commercial vehicle data analysts at ACT Research.

The average selling price of total reported used Class 8 trucks continues to hold up better than expected, according to the latest release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, published by ACT Research.

The fall order season for trailers kicked off with an impressive 43% month-over-month net order gain. Total net orders were 24,900 units. The year-over-year comparison was less robust, but still a solid 6% increase. This information was included in the most recent State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers published by ACT Research Co.

As expected from the preliminary report, Classes 5-8 orders were strong in October. This updated status of the North America commercial vehicle market was included in the State of the Industry report, recently released by ACT Research Co.